A retired American who lived in Penang, Malaysia, and now has returned to the US shares his thoughts, views and opinions on a variety of subjects ranging from the ridiculous to the controversial. The contents are only limited by his imagination.

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Thursday, May 16, 2013

Republicans are Chewing at the Bit Over the IRS

Now the Republicans have yet another another excuse not to govern, not to create more jobs, not to help the middle class, not to reform immigration to make it more fair, not to make tax laws more fair and not to help the poor and needy. Now they are after Obama in regards to the new so called IRS scandal. So what's the big deal? There is a section of the IRS code that is called 501(c)(4). This section allows an organization, which is founded as a not for profit organization which deals solely in the promotion of social welfare, to be granted a special status. This special consideration confers a tax exempt status on the organization and allows it to keep the names of its donors secret. In order to receive this special status the IRS requires that the organization not take part in political activities as their main focus and not to endorse any candidate.

This is where the problem has surfaced. Republicans have accused the IRS of targeting Conservative groups, such as the Tea Party and Karl Rove's Crossroads GPS in an attempt to deny them a no tax status. One of the biggest groups enjoying this tax exempt status is the Koch brothers' Americans for Prosperity group, into which they funnel millions of dollars, for the sole purpose of destroying Obama and other Democrats. To be fair to the IRS it has also targeted some Liberal groups.

It doesn't take a rocket scientist to see that groups such as these have been formed for the sole purpose of influencing elections or, in the case of the Koch brothers, buying the elections. These groups have become more vocal and have grown in the wake of the election of Barack Obama. These groups have absolutely nothing to do with the promotion of social welfare. In fact much of their activity is centered around destroying the social welfare, as when they oppose abortion, marriage equality, women's rights, immigration reform and having the rich pay their fair share of taxes. To the Republicans, it is not about politics, it is about revenge.

In my opinion all of these groups, either Conservative or Liberal, should pay taxes, as they are definitely spending a majority of their time on political activities and they are allowing the rich 1% the chance to buy our government. The tax exempt status of these organizations should be removed and while we are at it the tax exempt status should be removed for all churches and religious organizations until they refrain from trying to force their beliefs on the rest of us Americans.

Again I say to the Republicans, "Get over it. You lost twice. Quit trying to destroy Obama and America with him. Get back to work helping the country.